June 2, 2024 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John (2SoJ)
Are You Listening to the Knocking?
Try as you may, it takes character and the Holy Spirit to survive in the last days.
Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:21 ESV
Jesus Leaves the Multitude (John 6:15-21). Jesus compelled the disciples to get into the boat (Matt 14:22; Mark 6:45) because He knew they were in danger. The crowd was now aroused and there was a movement to make Him King. Of course, some of the disciples would have rejoiced at the opportunity to become famous and powerful! Judas would have become treasurer of the kingdom, and perhaps Peter would have been named prime minister! But this was not in the plan of God, and Jesus broke up the meeting immediately. Certainly, the Roman government would have stepped in had a movement begun.
Did Jesus know that a storm was coming? Of course. Then why did He deliberately send His friends into danger? Quite the opposite is true: He was rescuing them from greater danger, the danger of being swept along by a fanatical crowd. But there was another reason for that storm the Lord has to balance our lives; otherwise, we will become proud and then fall. The disciples had experienced great joy in being part of a thrilling miracle. Now they had to face a storm and learn to trust the Lord more. The feeding of the 5,000 was the lesson, but the storm was the examination after the lesson. Sometimes we are caught in a storm because we have disobeyed the Lord. Jonah is a good example. But sometimes the storm comes because we have obeyed the Lord. When that happens, we can be sure that our Savior will pray for us, come to us, and deliver us. In writing the account of this event years later, perhaps John saw in it a picture of Christ and His church Christ is in heaven interceding for us, but we are in the midst of the storms of life, trying to reach the shore. One day, He will come for us, and we shall reach the port safely, the storms all past.
Actually, there were several miracles involved in this event. Jesus walked on the water, and so did Peter (Matt 14:28-32). Jesus stilled the storm, and instantly the boat was on the other shore. Of course, all of this happened at night so that only Jesus and His disciples knew what had occurred. Jesus had led His people into the green pastures (John 6:10), and now He brought them into the still waters (Ps 23:2). What a wonderful Shepherd He is!
As you read the Gospel records, note that our Lord was never impressed by the great crowds. He knew that their motives were not pure and that most of them followed Him in order to watch His miracles of healing. "Bread and circuses" was Rome’s formula for keeping the people happy, and people today are satisfied with that kind of diet. Give them food and entertainment and they are happy. Rome set aside ninety-three days each year for public games at government expense. It was cheaper to entertain the crowds than to fight them or jail them.
We must never be deceived by the "popularity" of Jesus Christ among certain kinds of people today. Very few want Him as Savior and Lord. Many want Him only as Healer or Provider, or the One who rescues them from problems they have made for themselves. "And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life" (John 5:40).
By Warren W. Weirsbe and Edited by Otis Davis
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What would Jesus want me to do?
Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com
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